The Good Life

Yesterday was a travel day as I headed to Washington DC for the NACAC Legislative Conference. I had received good news several days ago when Alaska Airlines informed me that I'd been upgraded to first class for my flight. (One thing I didn't know: My Portland to DC flight was actually Portland to LAX to DC. As I looked at my reservations, I couldn't figure out how it was going to take eight hours to fly across the country.)

First class on Alaska Air's cross country flights is really first class. On other airlines and Alaska's shorter flights, first class is nice but not a huge deal. On my flight yesterday, I was served a grilled salmon lunch with a salad and potatoes. In what was a first in my travel experience, we were treated to chocolate ice cream with whipped cream. And Alaska gives you a "DigiPlayer," which is kind of like a personal DVD player but is loaded with about nine movies, music, cartoons and TV shows.

When I arrived at Reagan, I got on the Metro train and quickly got to Union Square, where I walked two blocks to my hotel. This year, the conference is being held at the Hyatt Regency but with the rooms costing over $300 a night, I suggested that several of us try The Hotel George nearby. The George bills itself as a "boutique" hotel and they have done a very nice job of updating and upgrading an old facility . . .

Note the flat screen TV and DVD player . . .
The bathroom is nicely done . . .
And my favorite touch is this, a little ribbon tied around the extra roll of toilet paper!
So, here I am, waiting for my meetings to start, in my complimentary Hotel George bathrobe. Ah, life is hard.